captured ammo

[raf]

question for the veterans.

in films you see people rounding up enemy guns etc putting them in a pile and burning them.

i would have thought that any captured equipment like guns, granades Ammo tanks if re-painted would have been some use to you at the time or sent elsewhere were supplies may have been short.

like just before the fall off france the RAF bombed some of the French ships wouldnt it have been off some use to us as a gun battery in Gib or the channel or as an extra escort.

[kfz]

Originally Posted by raf

in films you see people rounding up enemy guns etc putting them in a pile and burning them.

What films are these, our here allways saves the day by snatching the nemey machine gun ans mowing them down.

[raf]

maybe it was a more recent war film cant really remember just got the impression that the rifles werent of any use to them but in WWII i suppose any captured ammo would have been used.

any ideas on why we bombed the french fleet rather than take it....

[kfz]

Originally Posted by raf

maybe it was a more recent war film cant really remember just got the impression that the rifles werent of any use to them but in WWII i suppose any captured ammo would have been used.

any ideas on why we bombed the french fleet rather than take it....

Why do you think, the French wouldnt give up and the RN could not aford any of the ships to fall into Axis hands. Was not an option and doubt doubt for one miniute that capturing those ships was formost inb the Germans minds. Who was it who said " Your either with us or against us".

Coming back to your earlier point a big problem in captured small arms is that getting a good supply of ammunition. the German rifles where not comatable with the UK .303 or the US .3 cartridges so unless you catured a large amount of amunition it was useless. The most sought after weopens where the MP40 and pistols, not just cos they where much better then the allied versions not cos the allied 9mm pistol cartridge could be used. Using captured war material though a common practice comes with problems, not
least being mistaken for an enemy by your own side.

Its an interesting point, but I think the realality and practicality of using any captured material over any lenght of time means It didnt really happen that much.

Theres souvenier hunting, buts thats another thing.

I suppose there some good examples and maybe some of the more knowledgable posters can help but Ivce never really read an awfull ot of it happening.

HTH

Kev

[raf]

cheers kev... question answerd

[von Poop]

If i remember rightly Sapper has told us that though an excellent design the MP40 was not a wise choice as a captured weapon, it's sound could attract intense fire from your own side. I assume the same stands for many captured smallarms.

Germany used a fair amount of captured 76.2mm Russian AT guns, even mounted a couple of hundred onto returned for repair Pz.II chassis (Marder1). They had however captured a lot of Ammunition to go with them. Captured gear is always going to be a stop-gap measure, the very fact it's needed illuminates your own sides inadequacies in supply.

[Gerry Chester]

Hi raf,

Collecting ammo for use with German tanks captured and put into service by the Allies was the norm. The Panther "Cuckoo" being an example. That's her lined up behind the three Churchills.
http://www.nih.ww2site.com/nih/vehiclegallery/Cuckoo.jpg
and here she is in action
http://www.geocities.com/vqpvqp/nih/vehiclegallery/Cuckoo.jpg

Cheers, Gerry

[von Poop]

Excellent shot of Cuckoo in action, hadn't noticed that one.
I can see I need to put aside another hour or two to read some more of your site.
(Last visit there and recent reading have given me an increasing urge to make a Kingforce churchill as my next kit.)
Cheers,
Adam.

[Herroberst]

Originally Posted by Von Poop

If i remember rightly Sapper has told us that though an excellent design the MP40 was not a wise choice as a captured weapon, it's sound could attract intense fire from your own side. I assume the same stands for many captured smallarms.

Captured gear is always going to be a stop-gap measure, the very fact it's needed illuminates your own sides inadequacies in supply.

Sounds like a lack of fire discipline in Sappers outfit. Would really suck if you were on patrol and the guys in the line started firing on you because some Kraut got spooked and let his burp gun rip in your direction.

Captured gear was kept or disguarded depending upon how well it served in battle. Some of it might be booby trapped with those toe poppers. Always thought it risky for Americans to drive around in German tanks with P-47s in the neighborhood.

[Owen]

Gerry, link to this photo didn't work so had to type it into browser.
I'll paste it here for others to see in case they had the same problem.